Local triathlete Susan Robinson’s race against disease ended Sept. 6

Local triathlete Susan Robinson’s race against disease ended
Sept. 6
Morgan Hill – Whether running Ironman triathlons, building homes she designed herself or launching a small business from scratch, Sue Robinson never shied away from big challenges.

Even the startling diagnosis of ovarian cancer two years ago couldn’t disarm her positive strength. The San Martin resident, who grew up in Morgan Hill and excelled as an athlete at Live Oak High School in the 1980s, battled through her disease with the same spirit that helped her cross finish lines and – in recent years – helped her rank among the top 100 women triathletes in the world.

On Sept. 6., Robinson’s most difficult race ended. She died at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy of athletic accomplishment that continues to inspire those who knew her. 

“She always had a smile on her face. She was a ray of sunshine,” said Luanne Giacalone, Robinson’s former neighbor and one of her closest friends. 

Giacalone started running with Robinson in the late 1990s. Together they entered a small race in Los Gatos, after which Giaclone told her friend she wanted to train for marathons. 

Her ambition quickly evolved to triathlons.

Her husband, Scott Robinson, adored his wife’s sense of adventure. 

“I wasn’t surprised. I just thought she was crazy!” he laughed. “She always had a passion for running. She loved sports and loved to compete.”

In November 2004, Robinson accomplished an impressive 10:44 personal record in the Ironman competition, a race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle race and a 26.2-mile marathon. 

In all, she competed in eight Ironmans, including the World Championships in 2002 and 2003 in Kona, Hawaii.

Born and raised in Morgan Hill, Robinson, whose maiden name was Schilling, showed athletic and academic potential at an early age. She played three sports at Live Oak, excelling at cross country, while earning top marks. In 1985, she graduated sixth in her class.

She then married Scott Robinson from Palo Alto and headed off to Brigham Young University, where she joined her husband as a student-athlete.

After college she and her husband returned to Morgan Hill, where she started a career and a family. Robinson became a corporate officer for South Valley Developers, Inc., and was a licensed general building contractor who designed several homes for her family.

While busy with work and family, she never lost her athletic drive.

As Robinson trained to achieve her best times, she also came up with original ideas for new water bottle systems for competitive cyclists. A few years ago, she launched Podium Quest to market those products for athletes.

“She was very focussed, very driven,” her husband said.

Then, in 2004, Robinson knew something was wrong. She had just placed second in her age group at the Uvas Triathlon in Morgan Hill – but she felt a bit off after the race.

Her doctor sent her to a specialist, and eventually surgery was performed to examine internal scar tissue. When they operated, doctors found a cancer that had already spread from her ovaries.

Faced with the news, Robinson remained positive. 

Her ordeal also inspired South County athletes to raise money for cancer research. More than 50 athletes came together to form Team Sue, whose members wore emblems on their jerseys promoting ovarian cancer research in triathlons and marathons all over the country. 

Zoot Clothing also donated proceeds to cancer research from a new line of active apparel.

Robinson’s husband said his wife’s fatal diagnosis never darkened her spirits. She remained active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helping others in her community who had disabilities or injuries.

Giaclone said Robinson was admired for her humility and the “amazing way she could encourage people.

“She would be the first to take off her race number and change her clothes. You never knew she won until she took the podium,” Giaclone said. “She always wanted to know how other people’s races went.”

An ardent supporter of youth sports, Robinson requested any donations be sent to: Morgan Hill Water Polo, 16360 Monterey Road, Suite 170, Morgan Hill, 95037.